Burma to amnesty prisoners

Burma is preparing an amnesty for political prisoners on humanitarian grounds so they can contest next year's general elections, the country's UN ambassador said Monday.

"At the request of the (UN) Secretary General (Ban Ki-moon), the Burma government is processing to grant amnesty on humanitarian grounds and with a view to enabling them to participate in the 2010 general elections,'' Ambassador U Than Swe told the UN Security Council.

He made the remarks after Ban briefed the 15-member council on his Myanamr early visit early this month and warned the military junta to honor to ensure "inclusive, free and fair'' general elections next year.